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Moscow to impose mandatory fingerprinting on foreign nationals entering Russia visa-free

The Russian Interior Ministry plans to introduce obligatory fingerprinting and photographing of all foreign citizens who enter Russia for more than a month

© Mikhail Pochuev/TASS

MOSCOW, December 11. /TASS/. The Russian Interior Ministry plans to introduce obligatory fingerprinting and photographing of all foreign citizens who enter Russia for more than a month, the ministry’s press service reported when asked by TASS.

The Interior Ministry noted that the corresponding bill is pending.

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The press service explained that, according to the bill, a foreigner who entered Russia visa-free is obliged to report to the Interior Ministry on his or her temporary residence in the Russian Federation within seven working days after the 30-day expiration date from his or her arrival to the country. Earlier, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said during his speech at a "government hour" symposium in the State Duma that the ministry plans to make fingerprinting and photographing obligatory for all foreigners who enter Russia visa-free for a period longer than 30 days. Fingerprints are currently compulsory in case a foreign citizen receives a work permit, a temporary residence permit or a residence permit.

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